Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough named on-field umpires for World Cup final
The Hindu
Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth to umpire World Cup final b/w India and Australia in Ahmedabad. Kettleborough umpired 2015 final, Illingworth played in 1992 final. Joel Wilson (3rd umpire), Chris Gaffaney (4th umpire) and Andy Pycroft (match referee) also part of officiating teams. Both umpires have won David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the Year.
Englishmen Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough will stand as on-field umpires in the World Cup summit clash between India and Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19.
This will be the second outing for Kettleborough, who also stood in the final of the 2015 World Cup. His partner on that occasion was Kumar Dharmasena.
More than 93,000 spectators watched the 2015 final at the MCG. However, that number will be trumped as a three-figure crowd is expected on Sunday as the host nation will look to replicate their 2011 triumph on home soil.
For Illingworth, too, this will be a second World Cup final appearance, albeit his first as a match official. He featured in the 1992 Cricket World Cup final as a player.
Among other officials for the grand finale on Sunday is Joel Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago, who will be the third umpire, fourth umpire Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), and match referee Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe). All of them were also part of officiating teams in the semifinals.
Illingworth and Kettleborough were both promoted to the ICC International List on the same day in November 2009. Both acted as on-field umpires during this week's semi-finals.
Illingworth was in charge of India's victory over New Zealand in Mumbai, while Kettleborough oversaw Australia's thrilling win against South Africa in Kolkata.
